Tuolumne County Authorities Make Arrest in Connection with Dove Fire
TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CA — “On the afternoon of July 26, 2026, when the Dove Fire was first reported to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Dispatch Center, dispatchers also received several reports of a man wearing a straw hat running from the area where the fire started. Not long after, photos and videos of the man began circulating on social media.
The individual was later identified as a local transient, 30-year-old Jacob William Hoskins. Hoskins was recognized by members of the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office and the Sonora Police Department in the social media imagery based on numerous prior law enforcement contacts.
A TCSO deputy initially contacted Hoskins; however, at that time there was insufficient probable cause to detain him. As the investigation progressed, a CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Law Enforcement Officer developed additional information, and a TCSO deputy obtained further investigative leads after speaking with one of Hoskins’ associates. Using this information, the deputy located Hoskins at Rotary Park in Sonora, where he also found the same clothing, including the distinctive straw hat seen in the photos and videos from the time of the fire.
The deputy was assisted by personnel from the Sonora Police Department, and CAL FIRE law enforcement. Following the collaborative investigation conducted by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, the Sonora Police Department, and CAL FIRE law enforcement, Hoskins was arrested by CAL FIRE on suspicion of violating California Penal Code § 452(c) – Recklessly Causing a Fire.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our community. The vigilance of community members who promptly reported suspicious activity and captured photos and videos of Hoskins proved invaluable to the investigation and ultimately contributed to his identification and arrest.
The Dove Fire investigation remains under the jurisdiction of CAL FIRE, and any additional criminal charges or investigative updates will be released by CAL FIRE as appropriate.”
